Estimation of the physiological mechanical conditioning in vascular tissue engineering by a predictive...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Developing functional small-caliber tissue-engineered blood vessels (TEBVs) requires in vitro replication of physiological mechanical conditioning.
• Bioreactors are essential for applying mechanical stimuli to TEBVs during development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and validate an in silico scaffold-specific model for predicting mechanical conditioning in TEBVs.
• To assess the model's ability to guide the in vitro physiological maturation of viscoelastic scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• A fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model was developed for viscoelastic tubular scaffolds, specifically decellularized swine arteries (DSA).
• The model simulated pulsatile perfusion conditions provided by a bioreactor.

Main Results:

• Simulated working pressures, circumferential deformations, and wall shear stress on DSA were within the physiological range.
• The model accurately predicted mechanical conditioning on the cells-scaffold system.
• The FSI model enabled a priori definition of stimulation patterns for scaffold maturation.

Conclusions:

• The in silico FSI model is a valuable tool for predicting and optimizing mechanical conditioning in TEBV development.
• This approach can guide the in vitro physiological maturation of viscoelastic scaffolds, enhancing TEBV functionality.